Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => At the Forge => Topic started by: Greybuff on March 28, 2018, 08:03:24 pm

Title: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: Greybuff on March 28, 2018, 08:03:24 pm
A friend of mine wanted to get into blacksmithing but needed an anvil and he had what i wanted so I built him one. I started out with 2 - 4" forklift forks and square tubing and about 15lbs of 7018 welding rod. I first cut the short end of the fork to the length of the anvil face. Next I cut the second fork to the shape of an 'L' using the short end for the bottom and the long side for the upright. Then using the thickest remaining pieces I cut them for the upright for the 'horn' end of the anvil. The remaing pieces were used to form the middle section and additional uprights for each end. I cut one of the remaing pieces from the tapered end to make the horn. I than cut 3 pieces about 4" long to make the feet of the anvil and the base for the "hardy" hole. Tack weld the pieces together to form the anvil and then using a gas forge burner or a weed burner pre-heat the whole thing to 300 - 400 degrees. Then all you need to do is start welding, alternating form corner to corner etc. Once its welded up turn it over, cut the legs at the right angle to get the height that you want and then weld the legs and feet on. Once that is done roll it back over and weld on the 'Hardy". For this I used a length of 2" receiver. The nice thing about the reciever material is that you can weld up different 'hardy" tools (shape) for whatever it is that you are working on. Then start grinding, grind just the face and top of the horn (un-ground = weight).
The entire anvil and leg assembly weighed in right at 215LBS.
This anvil is similar to a 'bridge or railroad anvil'. Fork lift forks can usually be gotten for FREE from a forklift repair shop. Total cost was about $25 (I am a great scrounger).
Thanks to Kevin H. For uploading pics for me. 
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: osage outlaw on March 28, 2018, 10:27:12 pm
I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures.  It sounds interesting.
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: KHalverson on March 28, 2018, 11:24:24 pm
(http://i.imgur.com/QGTGBeW.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QGTGBeW)


(http://i.imgur.com/Uiv7Ug1.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Uiv7Ug1)

(http://i.imgur.com/2Tjp6uM.jpg) (https://imgur.com/2Tjp6uM)
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: Swampman on March 29, 2018, 06:34:43 am
That is really nice.  You are very talented.  I am sure your friend will have a lot of fun with that.
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: osage outlaw on March 29, 2018, 06:45:58 am
That's awesome!
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: osage outlaw on March 29, 2018, 07:13:44 am
What did you use to cut the forks?
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: Parnell on March 29, 2018, 07:25:10 am
Very clever.  A forklift repair shop...hmm.
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: Greybuff on March 29, 2018, 08:49:57 am
I used a water cooled horizontal band saw. Years ago when I was building a power hammer to sell, I cut 5" forks with a horizontal band saw that was not cooled. It takes about 10 minutes to make 1 cut. I used a plasma cutter to cut the shape of the horn.

I also built a striking anvil (also used as a base for an anvil made from forks)  using the short section of 2 - 4" forks welded together. I than took it down to a shop that does water-jetting and had a 1" hardy hole cut in it. If anyone is interested I could ask Kevin to post pics of that anvil.
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: GlisGlis on March 29, 2018, 01:06:06 pm
that is pure beauty
your friend is really lucky !!  :OK
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: bubby on March 29, 2018, 09:51:41 pm
Outstanding!!
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: KHalverson on March 30, 2018, 06:54:22 am
I keep coming back to look at this.
wish I would of had something like this when I started out.
i started with a chunk of rail road track.

very ingenius and cool.
Kevin
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: BrianS on March 30, 2018, 03:57:47 pm
Excellent
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: ssgtchad on April 02, 2018, 02:50:20 pm
Drooling :o I'm soooo jealous right now! Nice work
Title: Re: AN ANVIL FOR A FRIEND
Post by: Pappy on April 02, 2018, 03:01:20 pm
Very nice work, that is a fine looking Anvil.
Pappy